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Source & Drinking Water Program

Volatile
Organic Chemical Contaminants

Following
is a brief description of the volatile organic
contaminates regulated in Florida.

Note:
Listed in the MCL column is the Maximum Contaminant Level
(MCL) or standard for that contaminant.

Contaminant

MCL

Health Effects

1,1-Dichloroethylene
(l,l-Dichloroethene)

0.007 mg/L

This
chemical is used in industry and is found in drinking
water as a result of the breakdown of related
solvents. The solvents are used as cleaners and
degreasers of metals and generally get into drinking
water by improper waste disposal. This chemical has
been shown to cause liver and kidney damage in
laboratory animals such as rats and mice when the
animals are exposed at high levels over their
lifetimes. Chemicals which cause adverse effects in
laboratory animals also may cause adverse health
effects in humans who are exposed at lower levels
over long periods of time. EPA has set the
enforceable drinking water standard for
l,l-dichloroethene at 0.007 part per million (ppm) to
reduce the risk of these adverse health effects which
have been observed in laboratory animals. Drinking
water which meets this standard is associated with
little to none of this risk and should be considered
safe.

1,1,1-Trichloroethane

0.2 mg/L

This
chemical is used as a cleaner and degreaser of
metals. It generally gets into drinking water by
improper waste disposal. This chemical has been shown
to damage the liver, nervous system and circulatory
system of laboratory animals such as rats and mice
when the animals are exposed at high levels over
their lifetimes. Some industrial workers who were
exposed to relatively large amounts of this chemical
during their working careers also suffered damage to
the liver, nervous system and circulatory system.
Chemicals which cause adverse effects among exposed
industrial workers and in laboratory animals also may
cause adverse health effects in humans who are
exposed at lower levels over long periods of time.
EPA has set the enforceable drinking water standard
for l,l,l-trichloroethane has been set at 0.2 part
per million (ppm) to protect against the risk of
these adverse health effects which have been observed
in humans and laboratory animals. Drinking water
which meets this standard is associated with little
to none of this risk and should be considered safe.

1,1,2-Trichloroethane

0.005 mg/L

This
organic chemical is an intermediate in the production
of 1,1,-dichloroethylene. It generally gets into
water by industrial discharge of wastes. This
chemical has been shown to damage the kidneys and
liver of laboratory animals such as rats exposed to
high levels during their lifetimes. EPA has set the
drinking water standard for 1,1,2-trichloroethane at
0.005 part per million (ppm) to protect against the
risk of these adverse health effects. Drinking water
which meets the EPA standard is associated with
little to none of this risk and should be considered
safe with respect to 1,1,2-trichloroethane.

1,2-Dichloroethane

0.003 mg/L

This
chemical is used as a cleaning fluid for fats, oils,
waxes, and resins. It generally gets into drinking
water from improper waste disposal. This chemical has
been shown to cause cancer in laboratory animals such
as rats and mice when the animals are exposed at high
levels over their lifetimes. Chemicals that cause
cancer in laboratory animals also may increase the
risk of cancer in humans who are exposed at lower
levels over long periods of time. The enforceable
drinking water standard for l,2-dichloroethane has
been set by DEP at 0.003 part per million (ppm) to
reduce the risk of cancer or other adverse health
effects which have been observed in laboratory
animals. Drinking water which meets this standard is
associated with little to none of this risk and
should be considered safe.

1,2-Dichloropropane

0.005 mg/L

This
organic chemical is used as a solvent and pesticide.
When soil and climatic conditions are favorable,
1,2-dichloropropane may get into drinking water by
run-off into surface water or by leaching into ground
water. It may also get into drinking water through
improper waste disposal. This chemical has been shown
to cause cancer in laboratory animals such as rats
and mice when the animals are exposed at high levels
over their lifetimes. Chemicals that cause cancer in
laboratory animals also may increase the risk of
cancer in humans who are exposed over long periods of
time. EPA has set the drinking water standard for
1,2-dichloropropane at 0.005 part per million (ppm)
to reduce the risk of cancer or other adverse health
effects which have been observed in laboratory
animals. Drinking water that meets the EPA standard
is associated with little to none of this risk and is
considered safe with respect to 1,2-dichloropropane.

1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene

0.07 mg/L

This
organic chemical is used as a dye carrier and as a
precursor in herbicide manufacture. It generally gets
into drinking water by discharges from industrial
activities. This chemical has been shown to cause
damage to several organs, including the adrenal
glands. EPA has set the drinking water standard for
1,2,4-trichlorobenzene at 0.07 part per million (ppm)
to protect against the risk of these adverse health
effects. Drinking water which meets the EPA standard
is associated with little to none of this risk and
should be considered safe with respect to
1,2,4-trichlorobenzene.

Benzene

0.001 mg/L

This
chemical is used as a solvent and degreaser of
metals. It is also a major component of gasoline.
Drinking water contamination generally results from
leaking underground gasoline and petroleum tanks or
improper waste disposal. This chemical has been
associated with significantly increased risks of
leukemia among certain industrial workers who were
exposed to relatively large amounts of this chemical
during their working careers. This chemical has also
been shown to cause cancer in laboratory animals when
the animals are exposed at high levels over their
lifetimes. Chemicals that cause increased risk of
cancer among exposed industrial workers and in
laboratory animals also may increase the risk of
cancer in humans who are exposed at lower levels over
long periods of time. The enforceable drinking water
standard for benzene has been set by DEP at 0.001
part per million (ppm) to reduce the risk of cancer
or other adverse health effects which have been
observed in humans and laboratory animals. Drinking
water which meets this standard is associated with
little to none of this risk and should be considered
safe.

Carbon
tetrachloride
(Tetrachloromethane)

0.003 mg/L

This
chemical was once a popular household cleaning fluid.
It generally gets into drinking water by improper
waste disposal. This chemical has been shown to cause
cancer in laboratory animals such as rats and mice
when the animals are exposed at high levels over
their lifetimes. Chemicals that cause cancer in
laboratory animals also may increase the risk of
cancer in humans who are exposed at lower levels over
long periods of time. The enforceable drinking water
standard for carbon tetrachloride has been set by DEP
at 0.003 part per million (ppm) to reduce the risk of
cancer or other adverse health effects which have
been observed in laboratory animals. Drinking water
which meets this standard is associated with little
to none of this risk and should be considered safe.

Dichloromethane

0.005 mg/L

This
organic chemical is a widely used solvent. It is used
in the manufacture of paint remover, as a metal
degreaser and as an aerosol propellant. It generally
gets into drinking water after improper discharge of
waste disposal. This chemical has been shown to cause
cancer in laboratory animals such as rats and mice
when the animals are exposed at high levels over
their lifetimes. Chemicals that cause cancer in
laboratory animals also may increase the risk of
cancer in humans who are exposed over long periods of
time. EPA has set the drinking water standard for
dichloromethane at 0.005 part per million (ppm) to
reduce the risk of cancer or other adverse health
effects which have been observed in laboratory
animals. Drinking water which meets this standard is
associated with little to none of this risk and
should be considered safe with respect to
dichloromethane.

Ortho-dichlorobenzene

0.6 mg/L

This
organic chemical is used as a solvent in the
production of pesticides and dyes. It generally gets
into water by improper waste disposal. This has been
shown to damage the liver, kidneys and the blood
cells of laboratory animals such as rats and mice
exposed to high levels during their lifetimes. Some
industrial workers who were exposed to relatively
large amounts of this chemical during working careers
also suffered damage to the liver, nervous system,
and circulatory system. EPA has set the drinking
water standard for o-dichlorobenzene at 0.6 part per
million (ppm) to protect against the risk of these
adverse health effects. Drinking water that meets the
EPA standard is associated with little to none of
this risk and is considered safe with respect to
o-dichlorobenzene.

Para-dichlorobenzene

0.075 mg/L

This
chemical is a component of deodorizers, moth balls
and pesticides. It generally gets into drinking water
by improper waste disposal. This chemical has been
shown to cause liver and kidney damage in laboratory
animals such as rats and mice when the animals are
exposed to high levels over their lifetimes.
Chemicals which cause adverse effects in laboratory
animals also may cause adverse health effects in
humans who are exposed at lower levels over long
periods of time. EPA has set the enforceable drinking
water standard for para-dichlorobenzene at 0.075 part
per million (ppm) to reduce the risk of these adverse
health effects which have been observed in laboratory
animals. Drinking water which meets this standard is
associated with little to none of this risk and
should be considered safe.

Cis-1,2-Dichloroethylene

0.07 mg/L

This
organic chemical is used as a solvent and
intermediate in chemical production. It generally
gets into water by improper waste disposal. This
chemical has been shown to damage the liver, nervous
system, and circulatory system of laboratory animals
such as rats and mice when exposed at high levels
over their lifetimes. Some humans who were exposed to
relatively large amounts of this chemical also
suffered damage to the nervous system. EPA has set
the drinking water standard for
cis-1,2-dichloroethylene at 0.07 part per million
(ppm) to protect against the risk of these adverse
health effects. Drinking water which meets the EPA
standard is associated with little to none of this
risk and is considered safe with respect to
cis-1,2-dichloroethylene.

Trans-1,2-Dichloroethylene

0.1 mg/L

This
organic chemical is used as a solvent and
intermediate in chemical production. It generally
gets into water by improper waste disposal. This
chemical has been shown to damage the liver, nervous
system, and the circulatory system of laboratory
animals such as rats and mice when exposed at high
levels over their lifetimes. Some humans who were
exposed to relatively large amounts of this chemical
also suffered damage to the nervous system. EPA has
set drinking water standard for
trans-1,2-dichloroethylene at 0.1 part per million
(ppm) to protect against the risk of these adverse
health effects. Drinking water that meets the EPA
standard is associated with little to none of this
risk and is considered safe with respect to
trans-1,2-dichloroethylene.

Ethylbenzene

0.7 mg/L

This
organic chemical is a major component of gasoline. It
generally gets into water by improper waste disposal
or leaking gasoline tanks. This chemical has been
shown to damage the kidneys, liver, and nervous
system of laboratory animals such as rats exposed to
high levels during their lifetimes. EPA has set the
drinking water standard for ethylbenzene at 0.7 part
per million (ppm) to protect against the risk of
these adverse health effects. Drinking water that
meets the EPA standard is associated with little to
none of this risk and is considered safe with respect
to ethylbenzene.

Monochlorobenzene

0.1 mg/L

This
organic chemical is used as a solvent. It generally
gets into water by improper waste disposal. This
chemical has been shown to damage the liver, kidneys
and nervous system of laboratory animals such as rats
and mice exposed to high levels during their
lifetimes. EPA has set the drinking water standard
for monochlorobenzene at 0.1 part per million (ppm)
to protect against the risk of these adverse health
effects. Drinking water that meets the EPA standard
is associated with little to none of this risk and is
considered safe with respect to monochlorobenzene.

Styrene

0.1 mg/L

This
organic chemical is commonly used to make plastics
and is sometimes a component of resins used for
drinking water treatment. Styrene may get into
drinking water from improper waste disposal. This
chemical has been shown to damage the liver and
nervous system in laboratory animals when exposed at
high levels during their lifetimes. EPA has set the
drinking water standard for styrene at 0.1 part per
million (ppm) to protect against the risk of these
adverse health effects. Drinking water that meets the
EPA standard is associated with little to none of
this risk and is considered safe with respect to
styrene.

Tetrachloroethylene

0.003 mg/L

This
organic chemical has been a popular solvent,
particularly for dry cleaning. It generally gets into
drinking water by improper waste disposal. This
chemical has been shown to cause cancer in laboratory
animals such as rats and mice when the animals are
exposed at high levels over their lifetimes.
Chemicals that cause cancer in laboratory animals
also may increase the risk of cancer in humans who
are exposed over long periods of time. DEP has set
the drinking water standard for tetrachloroethylene
at 0.003 part per million (ppm) to reduce the risk of
cancer or other adverse health effects which have
been observed in laboratory animals. Drinking water
that meets this standard is associated with little to
none of this risk and is considered safe with respect
to tetrachloroethylene.

Toluene

1 mg/L

This
organic chemical is used as a solvent and in the
manufacture of gasoline for airplanes. It generally
gets into water by improper waste disposal or leaking
underground storage tanks. This chemical has been
shown to damage the kidneys, nervous system, and
circulatory system of laboratory animals such as rats
and mice exposed to high levels during their
lifetimes. Some industrial workers who were exposed
to relatively large amounts of this chemical during
working careers also suffered damage to the liver,
kidneys and nervous system. EPA has set the drinking
water standard for toluene at 1 part per million
(ppm) to protect against the risk of adverse health
effects. Drinking water that meets the EPA standard
is associated with little to none of this risk and is
considered safe with respect to toluene.

Trichloroethylene
(Trichloroethene)

0.003 mg/L

This
chemical is a common metal cleaning and dry cleaning
fluid. It generally gets into drinking water by
improper waste disposal. This chemical has been shown
to cause cancer in laboratory animals such as rats
and mice when the animals are exposed at high levels
over their lifetimes. Chemicals that cause cancer in
laboratory animals also may increase the risk of
cancer in humans who are exposed at lower levels over
long periods of time. The enforceable drinking water
standard for trichloroethene has been set by DEP at
0.003 part per million (ppm) to reduce the risk of
cancer or other adverse health effects which have
been observed in laboratory animals. Drinking water
which meets this standard is associated with little
to none of this risk and should be considered safe.

Vinyl
chloride

0.001 mg/L

This
chemical is used in industry and is found in drinking
water as a result of the breakdown of related
solvents. The solvents are used as cleaners and
degreasers of metals and generally get into drinking
water by improper waste disposal. This chemical has
been associated with significantly increased risks of
cancer among certain industrial workers who were
exposed to relatively large amounts of this chemical
during their working careers. This chemical has also
been shown to cause cancer in laboratory animals when
the animals are exposed at high levels over their
lifetimes. Chemicals that cause increased risk of
cancer among exposed industrial workers and in
laboratory animals also may increase the risk of
cancer in humans who are exposed at lower levels over
long periods of time. The enforceable drinking water
standard for vinyl chloride has been set by DEP at
0.001 part per million (ppm) to reduce the risk of
cancer or other adverse health effects which have
been observed in humans and laboratory animals.
Drinking water which meets this standard is
associated with little to none of this risk and
should be considered safe.

Xylenes

10 mg/L

These
organic chemicals are used in the manufacture of
gasoline for airplanes and as solvents for
pesticides, and as cleaners and degreasers of metals.
They usually get into water by improper waste
disposal. These chemicals have been shown to damage
the liver, kidneys and nervous system of laboratory
animals such as rats and dogs exposed to high levels
during their lifetimes. Some humans who were exposed
to relatively large amounts of these chemicals also
suffered damage to the nervous system. EPA has set
the drinking water standard for xylenes at 10 parts
per million (ppm) to protect against the risk of
these adverse health effects. Drinking water that
meets the EPA standard is associated with little to
none of this risk and is considered safe with respect
to xylenes.